France Football accuses Qatar of bribing votes for the 2022 World Cup

[Luftstalag14]

I never said that the WC can only be hosted in countries with footballing culture, just that Qatar doesn't have it. Besides there are upsides with other countries that I just don't see with Qatar. USA might have no footballing tradition but they are huge on sports in general so they'll embrace a World Cup and make it a huge spectacle. South Africa had a very globally unifying feel with the Mandela influence and the efforts being very welcoming and diverse (South Africa has a lot of culture in general, even if not footballing-wise).

Qatar on the other hand has a very unfavorable climate and a sort of hostile feel with all these bribery allegations, social issues, and the general lack of acceptance of diversity. It's controlled by the oil-owners that have made football into a money-centric game. The slave labor is just disgusting. I can't see any sort of trait that Qatar has that would give it the atmosphere of global-unification through sport and a generally appealing tournament. And other than the fact that they are a target for footballing media campaigns, I can't find a single trait that would give them any "footballing culture" either. A lot of Middle-Eastern countries are of a similar fashion at this point. It's just a sad truth because that general area is full of conflict right now.

I've always found that a World Cup is an event that just embodies globalization and positive acceptance. There's a reason why it doesn't feel right to hold it in areas of massive conflict. It doesn't have to be only in Europe/South America, I could think of several other countries for it to be held. It's just that having it in a country like Qatar doesn't fit well in any way.

I hear you Don and I know where you are coming from, it is all about perceptions, some of which are real, some of which are not.

I am sure FIFA has its venting process to look at each applicant country carefully considering all factors (I'd hope they do).

 

[DonAndres]

Not sure how Qatar is an area of massive conflict, but ok.

As for the weather if you listen to people talk about it you'd think Qatar was a deserted desert. Qatar's an island with 2 million people living in it. They've adapted to their weather, as should tourists chosing to go there. For instance, you don't stand outside, you're always in air conditioned shops or vehicles. The stadiums and training facilities will be air conditioned. I really don't see how weather is a problem. It would in fact be much cooler than Brazil.

Not conflict as in war-torn or anything, but a country that has issues with human rights, homosexuality, slave labor, freedom of religion, and human trafficking isn't exactly appealing or welcoming for a World Cup. Most of the stadiums have a seating capacity smaller than 30k, the cost to build the cities/stadiums and everything will amount to the 100's of billions, and there's far more controversy than appeal. Honestly what logical reason is there to hold it there? I agree with the sentiment that UAE would likely be a much larger success if they wanted to do it in a Middle Eastern country.

The 'air conditioned stadiums' nonsense has been called unsustainable even by the architecture firms that are building them! Hell there was even talk of moving the Qatar WC to winter just because of the weather issues that remain unsolved. You know how much that could screw with the European league schedule?

 

[Ketoth]

In that case every country has its own conflict (or problems). Brazillian locals have protested for months against the world cup for various reasons. Qatari locals welcomed it with joy.

As for the stadiums most of them will have a capacity greater than 40k
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup

 

[Luftstalag14]

For the no football culture guy
http://www.worldfootball.net/winner/afrika-cup/
http://www.worldfootball.net/winner/asian-cup/

This.

I mean Asia and Africa are not Europe or South America, but still. Huge following for football.

You guys have to come and see it yourself.

 

[GoobiePls]

I wish they held it in Japan they will surely make something spectacular from it. Australia might be alright aswell with the World Cup being in June the temperatures are alright with it being winter there.

The south eastern China regions (Macau, Hongkong, ...) would also be an interesting idea.

 

[Galning]

Giving it to Qatar was just a terrible decision no matter how big their "footballing culture" might or might not be.

 

[Paganinisrvnge]

It was clear from the second they announced it that corruption was involved. Looking at it from a completely neutral point of view; Qatar was literally the WORST choice of the countries bidding for 2022. Japan has fascinating culture, very good infrastructure, stadiums, already co-hosted, have a pretty good team, etc. Same with Korea for the most part. Then you have Australia and the U.S. which are two very, very big countries whose main focus in sport is not football but their own sports yet they both have tons of great stadiums, infrastructure, etc. Two huge opportunities to expand the sport but instead they chose Qatar? Money talks.

 

[DonAK]

I wish they held it in Japan they will surely make something spectacular from it. Australia might be alright aswell with the World Cup being in June the temperatures are alright with it being winter there.

The south eastern China regions (Macau, Hongkong, ...) would also be an interesting idea.

Oh you'd love that, wouldn't you?

 

[Kerrybai]

It was clear from the second they announced it that corruption was involved. Looking at it from a completely neutral point of view; Qatar was literally the WORST choice of the countries bidding for 2022. Japan has fascinating culture, very good infrastructure, stadiums, already co-hosted, have a pretty good team, etc. Same with Korea for the most part. Then you have Australia and the U.S. which are two very, very big countries whose main focus in sport is not football but their own sports yet they both have tons of great stadiums, infrastructure, etc. Two huge opportunities to expand the sport but instead they chose Qatar? Money talks.

Agreed, they really could not have picked a worse place. I support a middle eastern World cup but somewhere without the slave labour and crippling heat would be far more desirable. I say give it to the Ozzies or the US and let somewhere like Egypt have a go in 2026/2030/2034.

 

[King Leo]

Middle eastern countries have a long way to go before allowed to host the WC!!! not because they dont love football which is totally wrong! Egypt, Iraq, Iran and Turkey (I consider Turks mid eastern) are crazy about the sport, know much about it and have good talents but the problem is the area itself. Lots of money and endless problems.

Football/soccer is a sport. The world cup is a celebration of the sport and many more human things, like democracy, human rights, individual rights etc. ALL COUNTRIES in the Middle East (starting with Israel and including UAE) have a terrible record in those things. Russia IMO should also be stripped of that honour but will see.

IMO the world cup should be held in either Australia or USA/Canada. It wont make sense to have it in the UK because it would be back-to-back in Europe which isn't fair.

 

[DonAK]

Turkey don't really have the problems you stated. They also have a few top class stadiums already albeit three of them located in the same city, Istanbul.

 

[Ketoth]

Brazil has lots of problems too including high unemployment, poverty, crime to name a few, yet they get to host the world cup....

 

[Kerrybai]

Turkey don't really have the problems you stated. They also have a few top class stadiums already albeit three of them located in the same city, Istanbul.

The issue with Turkey is a European one. Turkey by footballing standards is European and Fifa try to rotate World cups so Turkey 2022 is unlikely. Also I think Turkey are going for Euro 2024.

Brazil has lots of problems too including high unemployment, poverty, crime to name a few, yet they get to host the world cup....

Brazil is footballs second home and they didn't bribe their way to hosting.

 

[DonAK]

The issue with Turkey is a European one. Turkey by footballing standards is European and Fifa try to rotate World cups so Turkey 2022 is unlikely. Also I think Turkey are going for Euro 2024.



Brazil is footballs second home and they didn't bribe their way to hosting.

Yeah that I know and agree. Was just replying to the other post where Turkey was mentioned along with Qatar, Israel and other middle east countries and the problems they are facing.

 

[Beast]

Turkey don't really have the problems you stated. They also have a few top class stadiums already albeit three of them located in the same city, Istanbul.

Highest number of jailed journalists in the world , recognizing the Armenian genocide they committed , Kurds human rights , beating protesters in the square ...Turkish infamous prisons reputation.. Turkey has its fair share